Graduates Pursuing Additional Education - 2005
Approximately 14% of the graduates surveyed indicated that they are enrolled full-time in a graduate/professional school (see Table 25).  Approximately 5% are currently pursuing graduate studies on a part-time basis.  There are an additional 3% who have been accepted to graduate schools.

Table 25
Graduate/Professional School Attendance - Class of 2005

Number Percent
Have not applied   210   63.1
Have applied     49   14.7
Have been accepted       9     2.7
Am currently enrolled part-time     17     5.1
Am currently enrolled full-time      48     14.4 
Total   333 100.0

Table 26 examines graduate school attendance by gender, state residency and school. The group pursuing graduate education includes those that have been accepted to graduate or professional schools, those enrolled part-time and those that are enrolled full-time in graduate or professional programs. The results can be summarized as follows:

Females are slighlty more likely to pursue graduate education (24%) than are males (21%). This trend was similar to last year.

The percentage of graduates continuing their education is higher for SC graduates than for out of state graduates (25% versus 20%).

The School of Science and Mathematics has the highest percentage of graduates continuing their education (29%).

Table 26
Graduate/Professional School Attendance
Comparison of All Groups

Group Number Pursued Education Did Not Pursue Education
Class of 2005     333            22.2                 77.8
Gender      
      Males       75            21.3                   78.7
      Females     168            23.8                 76.2
State Residence      
      SC Graduates     146            25.3                 74.7
      Out of State Graduates       97            19.6                 80.4
School      
      School of Business       78            15.4                 84.6
      School of Humanities and Social Sciences     152            25.0                 75.0  
      School of the Arts       25              8.0                 92.0
      School of Science and Mathematics       45            28.9                 71.1
      School of Education        31              25.8                 74.2

Table 27 lists the institutions where five or more graduates are currently enrolled. For a complete list of institutions see Appendix C at the end of the report.

Table 27
Institutions with 5 or more CofC Graduates

Institution Number of Graduates
Charleston School of Law                     5
Citadel                     6
MUSC                   16
University of Charleston                     9
University of South Carolina                     6


Approximately 60% of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in a Master's degree program (Table 28); Over 20% received a graduate assistantship or fellowship (Table 29).

Table 28
Graduate Degree Completed or Sought

Degree  Number Percent
Masters      43   64.2
PhD       24     35.8
Total      67 100.0

Table 29
Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship

Number Percent
No     56    78.9
Yes      15      21.1 
Total     71  100.0

The majority of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in Humanities programs (23%) (see Table 30). For a complete list of study programs pursued by the 2005 graduates see Appendix D.

Table 30
Summary of Graduate Programs Attended

Discipline  Number Percent
Arts        2     2.8
Business     12   16.9
Education       6     8.5
Humanities     16   22.5
Law     10   14.1
MD/DMD       5     7.0
Medicine - Other     12   16.9
Other       2     2.8
Sciences       6     8.5
Total     71 100.0
Of those who chose to pursue graduate education and explained their decision, 57 reported having done so because their ‘career goal can only be obtained through further education' (see Table 31).

Table 31
Reasons for Pursuing Graduate Education

Reasons Number
My career goal can only be obtained through further education.     57  
I want to enhance my earning potential.     34  
I want to further my personal growth.     23  
I could not secure employment.       5  
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